Worried

[prim]

This is my story... almost two years ago in June 2009, I exposed myself to the risk of getting infected. I practised abstinance and was still a virgin at 34 years. But in this particular day I made out with a guy, we kissed and he proceeded to penetrate me without protection... being the first time for me, it was very painful and he could not go so deep. After like 5 strokes he pulled, he ejaculated from out but he could have left pre-cum in me. I know this is a very high risk of getting infected with HIV. The next day, I felt extremely disappointed with myself, how could I have been so strong over the years and yet so weak to have this as my first sexual experience. I worried that I could be infected given this guy's sexual behavior... I was reliably told that he made out with prostitutes in a country with a high HIV rate. A month after this risky exposure I had swollen nodes under my armpits but there could be other reasons for them like I moved out of my country and went through a lengthy jetlag that made me tired. I don't remember having a fever, and my skin has been perfect. One day I suffered from diarrhea but that seemed to be an infection going on at the dorms as many students had it. I was fine in two days. In the last two years I have not been sick as to need to see a doctor but I have had accassional cold sores on the mouth that I have always had since I was 14 years, they are always gone in three days. Anyway, I put this experience behind my mind, resumed my abstinance lifestyle, went to graduate school and kept myself busy until i graduated last month. Now, I have met a nice guy and we are planing to get married. However, that past experience has come back to haunt me... I know I must take a test to clear my mind but at the moment I am so worried.

[Ann]

Prim,

You have had a risk and you do need to test. Neither symptoms nor the lack of symptoms will ever tell you a single thing about your hiv status - only testing at the appropriate time will. As this happened years ago, you can test now for a conclusive result.

You and your husband-to-be should BOTH test for all STIs at least three months after either of you have had unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse before you stop using condoms.

Here's what you need to know:

You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL sexually transmitted infections together.

To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with an STI. Sex without a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.

Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

Anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results.

Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!

Ann

[prim]

Thanks Ann,
My test result is negative. I appreciate the support and encouragement you give to everyone who finds their way on this forum!